Learning The "Fun"damentals of Chemistry With Ms. Marglin

Learning the subject of chemistry in high school can be a difficult task for the average high school student. However it can be one of the most rewarding and enjoyable experiences for any high school student if the material is presented in an interesting and practical manner. One of the reasons why I chose Chemistry as my undergraduate major had to do with the positive exposure to the subject my 10th grade chemistry teacher Ms. Marglin gave me while I was in her class at Stranahan High school. Instead of presenting the subject of Chemistry in a condescending and difficult manner, Ms. Marglin took the time to show us how to look at the subject from a practical standpoint, presented the material in a simple manner by removing the "I'll never get it" syndrome associated with learning most subjects in science and math. Instead of teaching us how to memorize formulas and theories, she taught us how to reason and use high order thinking to solve problems and apply the theories we learned in solving problems. Ms. Marglin also reminded us fondly that "there is more than one way to skin a cat", indirectly challenging us to think outside the methodical box when solving chemistry problems. Instead of teaching us how to just work for an answer, she taught us the importance of learning how and why chemistry works. Whenever we had a problem grasping concepts she always chose an alternative approach by using real world examples, to get the chemistry lesson across, instead of throwing her hands up in frustration. This not only made learning the subject of chemistry fun but more importantly it induced to drive in me to want to learn more about the subject. I hope some day, to become a teacher that reaches and excites students' interest in the subject of chemistry, the same way Ms. Marglin reached me.

-- Andrew Bennett, Florida Atlantic University